ADA 90P Iwugami (56K Warning) Updated 5/16/2013

[manzpants92]

that micro sword is killin it in the front

[styxx]

Originally Posted by h4n

Looking good man!

that NLJF fit good! a little more growing out and it will all look like one piece!

Thanks for helping a brother out!!

Originally Posted by manzpants92

that micro sword is killin it in the front

Yeah, Manzpants92, it does look pretty sweet doesn't it!? Hahaha. If you've read the journal it sure took its sweet time. When I read back over the course of this project and see how that foreground started, I must say I'm pretty proud. But there's still more to do to make this a truly stunning aquarium! On to the midground plants now...

[@marko@]

Originally Posted by styxx

Marko, I'm definitely considering including Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green or some green gecko. Can you send me a picture of yours? I'm a little worried about crypt melt and the time it would take for the plants to recover. But I really am starting to get some crypts in here somewhere. In the mean time I'm going to get some Anubias coffeefolia, anubias nana petitte and another large Seriyu stone to break up the monotony of the midground.

here is the one i keep in my betta tank:

the blush on it is more distinct in person, but you get the idea.

[styxx]

Here are two shots up close of the kids playing...




and my micro-diffuser / MP10 running on the left hand side of the aquarium. Please excuse the dirty glass, pump, lily pipes, etc. I don't usually do maintenance or water changes until Sunday. One of my very greedy Otos loves hanging out by the pump/CO2 diffuser for some reason (you would think they'd suffocate that close, but this pervert never goes anywhere else - at least when the lights are on and I can see him, lol).

[plantbrain]

Grass looks good, but yes, a nice mid ground plant would do well.

Brown or red crypt etc. Ludwigias perhaps, L sphaerocarpa would look good growing up over the micro swords.

[jamesdson]

this tank reminds me of seagrass seabed. nice man!!!

[tex627]

Microswords is so underused. Look amazing! Well done.

[styxx]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

Grass looks good, but yes, a nice mid ground plant would do well.

Brown or red crypt etc. Ludwigias perhaps, L sphaerocarpa would look good growing up over the micro swords.

Thanks Tom. I agree, I have to get something to break up the transition between the back NLJF and the foreground carpet. I'm strongly leaning towards some type of crypt, but at this stage I've yet to commit to anything, since I've never used them in anything for fear of crypt melt (after spending a lot of $ on plants just to see them 'die').

Originally Posted by jamesdson

this tank reminds me of seagrass seabed. nice man!!!

Originally Posted by tex627

Microswords is so underused. Look amazing! Well done.

Thanks, I agree, that microswords are really underused, but I suspect that the main reason is that they're so damn difficult to grow at any really observable speed. I think most people wouldn't even consider planting a plant (for a foreground cover no less) with the expectation that they'd have to wait a minimum of 3 months before seeing any really observable progress. But that is precisely what it takes even in what I think have been optimal conditions in my aquarium. Although what you see appears to be a very thick carpet, it actually isn't as thick as I want it to be and I suspect that it will take another three months to get there. Lots and lots of patience is the key with this plant...

[Uptown193]

I think you should add a red leaf plant to the tank. Some contrast would be nice.

[styxx]

Originally Posted by Uptown193

I think you should add a red leaf plant to the tank. Some contrast would be nice.

Maybe, but for now I'm going to focus on some crypts and perhaps some Anubias Coffefolia. I love anubias plants and would use them like crazy if they weren't so damn expensive in the larger sizes.

[hydrophyte]

Great job growing these plants!

Originally Posted by styxx

[styxx]

Originally Posted by hydrophyte

Great job growing these plants!

Thanks!

[boxhead1990]

Looks good

[tex627]

Do you feel like the rocks are just way too underwhelming due to the height of the microswords? Have you considered to add larger stones?

[styxx]

Originally Posted by boxhead1990

Looks good

Thanks boxhead1990!

Originally Posted by tex627

Do you feel like the rocks are just way too underwhelming due to the height of the microswords? Have you considered to add larger stones?

Tex627, I do, but unfortunately they're the biggest Seriyu stone that I could get and afford. I wish that I could find some that are twice to three times as large (and afford them) but unfortunately finding some and affording them are both extremely difficult. I'm always on the lookout but rarely do I find any that are sufficiently tall enough to suit my needs. The truly massive ones are rare and usually outrageously expensive. Eventually I will move to glosso or HC so by then the stones that I have now will be sufficient with a much lower foreground plant.